Update: Nov. 18,2013 - Sixteen-year-old Katie Helberg, previously reported to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office as a runaway juvenile at risk due to medical concerns, was found yesterday (Sun., Nov. 17) in good health, according to a press release from HCSO.

The original post on this story appears below.

According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Katie Helberg (shown in the photo), a 16 year old white female, was reported missing from her home in Eureka on the morning of Sat., Nov.9. Her family reported that she has health issues and requires medication.

Katie is further described as: approximately 5’4” tall, 130 pounds, with blue eyes and long blond straight hair. She wears braces on her teeth that have purple and green rubber bands on them. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t-shirt with an “Alaska” logo on the front, and was wearing tennis shoes. Anyone with information about this missing person is asked to call: the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or Detective Greg Musson at 707-268-3643. The complete press release can be viewed below.

HCSO press release, dated Nov. 14, 2013::On 11-10-2013, at approximately 8:45 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing 16 year old female, Katie Helberg. Katie’s mother reported she last saw Katie at home in Eureka during the morning of 11-9-2013. Katie has health issues and needs medication. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would appreciate the public’s help in locating her.

Katie Helberg is further described as follows: 16 years old, white female, approximately 5’4” tall, approximately 130 pounds, she has blue eyes and long blond straight hair. She wears braces on her teeth. The braces have purple and green rubber bands on them. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black t- shirt with “Alaska” logo on the front, and tennis shoes.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or Detective Greg Musson at 707-268-3643.

Update - Fri., Nov. 15, 2013: According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, at around 1:00 p.m. today Michael Gabriel’s mother notified Hoopa Tribal Police that Michael had returned home. A Hoopa Tribal Police Officer met with Michael and his parents and found that Michael was in good health and had left his residence voluntarily.

The original post on this story appears below.

Thirteen year old Michael James Gabriel (shown in this photo provided by his parents) has been missing since Fri., November 8, 2013 and might be staying in the McKinleyville area, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. Michael was last seen leaving his home in Hoopa.

Michael is described as follows: Native American, 13 years old, 5’ 3” tall, approximately 115 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes. If you have any information about this missing boy, please call: the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539. The press release appears below.

HCSO press release, dated Nov. 14, 2013:On 11-13-2013, at approximately 10:40 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing 13 year old male. Family and school officials reported Michael James Gabriel 13 years old has been missing since November 8, 2013 and was last seen leaving home in Hoopa. He is possibly staying in the McKinleyville area. Due to his age he is considered a high risk missing juvenile. The Sheriff’s Office would appreciate the public’s help in locating Michael.

Michael James Gabriel is described as follows: Native American, 13 years old, 5’ 3” tall, approximately 115 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

As many water districts struggle with increasing costs of loans and infrastructure improvements, customers are faced with increased rates. Crescent City Water District is now facing this issue and will discuss their plans to raise water rates at a special 6 pm meeting Tues., Nov.12 at the Flynn Center in Crescent City. The proposed increase will be 60% the first year with smaller percentages each successive year for five years.

Use the player below to hear more on this this story in a news piece submitted by Sharon Wolff from the Rio Dell Times.com. This piece aired on KMUD Local News Mon., Nov. 11, 2013.

Terry Houser, 28 from Eureka (shown in photo), reportedly stole a radio-controlled helicopter from RC Hobby Tech in Eureka and then fled, on foot, running across 5th street where he was struck by a pickup truck. Houser was taken to Saint Joseph Hospital by ambulance where he was reported to be in stable condition with multiple abrasions, broken teeth, and a broken right femur. Houser, who is currently on probation for grand theft and vandalism, will be charged with theft. The complete press release appears below.

Eureka Police Department Press Release, dated Nov. 8, 2013:

On 11/7/13 at approximately 4:46 p.m. Eureka Police Officers were dispatched to 5th Street and E Street to the report of an injury traffic collision between a truck and a pedestrian.

Upon arrival officers found a white 2006 Ford F350 that was blocking the far right lane of 5th Street. Officers located a pedestrian lying in the far right lane of 5th Street in front of the Ford. The driver of the Ford was identified as forty-one year old Bryan Sanderson of McKinleyville. The pedestrian was identified as twenty-eight year old Terry Houser of Eureka.

Based on the driver’s and witnesses’ statements, Houser fled on foot southbound onto 5th Street, outside the crosswalk, in front of eastbound vehicle traffic, after stealing a radio controlled helicopter from RC Hobby Tech, located at 411 5th Street. Sanderson drove the Ford eastbound in the far right lane of 5th Street through the intersection of E Street on a green traffic control signal, when Houser ran in a southwest direction into the far right lane of 5th Street in front of the Ford. Sanderson was unable to stop the Ford before striking Houser.

Houser was transported to Saint Joseph Hospital by ambulance where he was determined to be in stable condition with multiple abrasions, broken teeth, and a broken right femur. Houser is on felony probation for grand theft and vandalism. Houser was recently released from the Humboldt County Correctional Facility after a felony theft related conviction. A warrant declaration will be submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office due to Houser committing a theft from RC Hobby Tech.

Alcohol or drugs did not appear to be a factor in the collision. The investigation into this collision is still ongoing.

Atmospheric Rivers (AR) are long corridors of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere. They usually appear at altitudes of about one mile above the earth's surface, flowing for thousands of miles, and on average are 400-600 km wide. ARs can create extreme rainfall and floods, disrupt travel, trigger mud slides, and cause catastrophic loss of life and property.

According to a Jan. 2013 Scientific American article, this atmospheric phenomenon was discovered about 15 years ago and given the name "atmospheric river" by researchers Yong Zhu and Reginald Newell who, "...noticed an odd feature in simulations of global wind and water vapor patterns that had been made by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts."

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOOA) website, "Most flooding events that occur along the west coast of North America in winter are associated with the landfall of AR conditions." Although ARs can be detected by satellite instruments, a specialized atmospheric river observatory, or ARO, (see photo above/credit NOOA) has been developed which includes instrumentation uniquely adapted for capturing AR data. The Eureka Office of the National Weather Service, on Woodley Island, is slated to receive an ARO this coming January.

Just before Halloween KMUD News traveled to Woodley Island to learn more about Atmospheric Rivers and AR observatories.

Use the player below to hear this story, submitted by KMUD Community Journalist Bob Froehlich. This piece aired on KMUD Local News on Tues., Nov. 5, 2013 and includes interviews with National Weather Service Meterologist in Charge, Nancy Dean, and Mel Nordquist, Science and Operations Officer.

The Nov. 5, 2013 Humboldt County election includes elections for the following positions: -Bridgeville School District Governing Board Member-Eureka City Schools Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 1-Ferndale Unified School District Governing Board Member-McKinleyville School District Governing Board Member -Northern Humboldt Union High School District Governing Board Member-Redwoods Community College District, Trustee Area 2-Manila Community Services District Governing Board Member-McKinleyville Community Services District Governing Board Member-Arcata Fire Protection District Governing Board Member, Division 1-Arcata Fire Protection District Governing Board Member, Division 2

Shall a special tax be levied for fire protection, emergency medical services and an expansion of the fire house by the Fieldbrook Glendale Community Services District of $75.00 per assessor's parcel in Zone Two (2) in the District, such tax to continue for ten (10) years? If passed the special tax will supersede and replace the existing assessment.

The input from those meetings was reported back to the BOS on May 7, and at that time the Board voted to refer the proposal back to the Medical Marijuana Subcommittee to be reviewed and revised in two separate parts: Neighborhood Impacts and Environmental Impacts. The subcommittee worked with staff to develop a draft that would, "...curtail the neighborhood-level impacts of outdoor cultivation of medical marijuana.", according to a report delivered to the BOS on Tues., Oct. 22, 2013, by County Administrative Officer Phillip Smith-Hanes. The resulting draft proposal titled, Update on Potential Ordinance Regulating Neighborhood Impacts of Outdoor Marijuana Cultivationfuther states that, "The Subcommittee selected an approach of amending the County's zoning ordinance to define outdoor cultivation as a nuisance on small properties unless specified requirements are met." Click here for the Update Document.

Use the player below to hear a report on the Tues. BOS meeting submitted by Daniel Mintz and aired on KMUD Local News on Wed., Oct. 23, 2013.

Two victims, both Humboldt State University students, were stabbed at a residence in the 1500 block of Stromberg Avenue, Arcata on Sun. Sept. 29. The suspect was described by witnesses as a white male adult in his early 20's, wearing a white long sleeve thermal shirt, a black baseball cap and a long silver chain around his neck. The suspect fled the scene in a silver vehicle (unknown make or model) prior to the arrival of police. The police are asking for the public's assistance in locating the man shown in the photo above, who was present at the time of the incident and may have information critical to the case. The Arcata PD press release appears below.

Arcata Police Department Press Release, dated Tues., Oct 22, 2013:

The Arcata Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying witnesses to a stabbing that occurred on September 29th, 2013.

On 9/29/2013 at about 2:00 am, the Arcata Police Department responded to a residence at the 1500 block of Stromberg Avenue for a report of a stabbing that had just occurred there. Upon their arrival, officers learned that two male victims had been stabbed. The victims, both Humboldt State University students, were transported by friends to Mad River Community Hospital for emergency treatment. Once at the hospital, officers learned that one of the victims sustained one stab wound. The other victim sustained multiple stab wounds.

The suspect was described by witnesses as a white male adult in his early 20's, wearing a white long sleeve thermal shirt, a black baseball cap and a long silver chain around his neck. The suspect fled the scene in a silver vehicle (unknown make or model) prior to the arrival of police.

During the course of the investigation, detectives developed information that the individual in the attached photo was at the party at the time of the incident and may have information critical to the case.

The Arcata Police Department requests that anyone who recognizes the man in the photo or any person(s) who may have witnessed the incident contact Detective Chris Ortega. The investigation is on-going and assistance is being provided by the Humboldt State University Police Department.

Another fish count in the Eel River will take place this Sat., Oct. 26. The orientation will begin at 8:30 AM, at the River Lodge in Fortuna. Volunteers are welcome and, if interested, should contact Pat Higgins, at (707) 223-7200. See photos and more information about the fish survey in the original post of this story below.

Use the player below to hear the Pat Higgins interview. This piece was submitted and aired on the KMUD Local News Thurs., Oct 24, 2013 by News Anchor Christina Aanestad.

Around 20 volunteers met at River Lodge in Fortuna on Saturday morning, Oct, 12, ready to embark on their Lower Eel River Fall 2013 Chinook Census Dive. This dive, sponsored by the Eel River Recovery Project (ERRP) and several other groups, covered the Lower Eel River, including 12th Street, Boxcar, Drake, and Worswick Pools - shown in the map above. According to USGS data, the flow of the Eel River at Scotia, before the September 20 rain, was down to 50 cfs, but subsequent rainfall brought flows up, making for ideal dive conditions on October 12. Click here for the complete pdf version of the report and here for additional spectacular photos.

The dive team counted 1854 fall Chinook in pools ranging from the Van Duzen River to just above Fernbridge. These numbers were similar to last year's count. In addition to Chinook, 15 adult steelhead and 90 half pounders were counted. Chinook salmon were more numerous in the 12th Street Pool and Van Duzen/Eel convergence than in pools or runs further downstream. No Coho were seen in this first fall dive.

According to the report, lessons learned in this dive include:

The rise of the Eel River with the September 20 rain event and the September 30-October 1 storm was sufficient for dispersal upstream and access to the lower Eel River pools for adult and jack Chinook salmon. Flows were also optimal for the dive (<200 cfs).

Holding capacity in the lower Eel River is restricted with only the Creamery, Drake, Boxcar and 12th Street Pools capable of holding large numbers of adult Chinook in 2013. The Worswick pool is compromised in depth as is the run above it.

Doing reconnaissance and mapping of pools helped to develop more effective tactics for dive team.

High turnout of fish professionals and experienced ERRP divers lead to very trustable data being collected.

Scorekeepers that walk the bank are a great help because it frees up all divers to be part of the team.

Team may have bunched on River Walk side in 12th Street Pool and we may have missed some fish. The Drake Pool is much shallower in 2013 and we may need to rethink tactics.

Count is comparable to 10/13/12 dive in gross numbers, but the Van Duzen Pool was not counted in 2012 and many more fish were counted in the Drake Pool and below last year.

ERRP and Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC) dives are documenting the pre-pulse portion of run, if last year’s patterns hold, which means large counts are likely on subsequent dives (10/26 & 11/9 in Fortuna)

The next HRC dive is Monday October 21. Volunteers need to be in Scotia at Hoby's Market at 9 AM. Call Nick Simpson at HRC to coordinate (764-4281).

Call Pat Higgins, ERRP Volunteer Coordinator (223-7200), if you want to help count fish near Fortuna on Saturday, October 26. Orientation will begin at 8:30 AM, at the River Lodge in Fortuna. Wetsuits are available, with advance request.

The photos below show adult Chinook and Jacks and a portion of the dive team after surveying theWorswick Pool.

Sudden Oak Death (SOD), a disease that kills oak and other species of trees, has had devastating effects in some areas of California and Oregon. Symptoms of the disease, now known to be caused by the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, include bleeding cankers on the trunk of the tree and dieback of the foliage. Often the disease is fatal to the infected tree. The photo above (credit: U.C.Davis) shows a forest with oak trees dying of sudden oak death.

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